Food bites
From Pasadena to the Big Island, summer and fall bring pleasures of the palate.
By Irene Lacher 07/01/2010
Island Hopping
Care to dine in Hawaii with Roy’s Restaurant founding chef Roy Yamaguchi? Then eat something. The Hawaiian fusion cuisine chain has launched a frequent diners’ rewards program, dubbed “L.A. Ohana Tour,” running through Aug. 31, and the grand prize is a trip for two to the Big Island, including airfare, five nights at an Outrigger Kohala Coast Collection villa and dinner with Yamaguchi at Roy’s Restaurant Waikoloa. To entice guests into sampling the different menus at Roy’s five SoCal locations — in Pasadena (641 E. Colorado Blvd.), Anaheim, L.A., Newport Beach and Woodland Hills — the restaurant is rewarding diners who visit any three of Roy’s eateries. On the first trip, pick up your Ohana Tour card to present at the next location; the second visit comes with a free chocolate soufflé (with an entrée purchase); and the third earns you a $20 gift card (with entrée purchase) and entry into the sweepstakes. Sweepstakes entry and information are also available online at roysrestaurant.com.
Toasting Yosemite
As if changing leaves and roaring fireplaces weren’t enough to lure you to Yosemite this fall, the national park’s four-
diamond Ahwanee is bringing back its Vintners’ Holidays for the 29th year. From Oct. 31 through Dec. 2, guests will be able to taste the latest vintages and sometimes rare, limited-release wines offered by 32 top California winemakers, including returning boutique producer Tres Sabores and the well-known Mumm Napa and Robert Mondavi wineries. Newcomers this year include Carol Shelton Wines, Ancient Peaks Winery, Franciscan, Hidden Ridge Vineyard, Selen Wines, Hovey Wine and Freeman Vineyard & Winery.
The schedule offers both novices and connoisseurs the opportunity to explore viticulture in eight two- or three-day sessions with various lineups of four winemakers. Each session includes a reception with the winemakers, educational tasting seminars and a five-course candlelit dinner by Executive Chef Percy Whatley. Two- and three-night packages are available at the Ahwanee (starting at $996 and $1,245, double occupancy) and at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls ($744 and $867, double occupancy). For details and reservations, call (801) 559-4903 or visit yosemitepark.com/vintners.
Kabuki Lightens up
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant unveils its “Summer Fling” menu at its 10 SoCal locations, including two in Pasadena. The lighter fare includes Executive Chef Masa Kuriahara’s tuna poke with fresh avocado cubes and marinated seaweed; soba inari with edamame; Baja roll with tomato salsa on a spicy “krab” roll; and Mediterranean sea bass with Kabuki tomato salsa, corn, asparagus and Japanese mint leaf. Also on tap are Master Sommelier Yuji Matsumoto’s seasonal specialty cocktails, many made with sake and soju.
In Pasadena, Kabuki is located at 88 W. Colorado Blvd., (626) 568-9310, and at 3539 E. Foothill Blvd., (626) 351-8963. Visit kabukirestaurants.com.
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